The Director of Data Analytics & Research provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Houston-Galveston Area Council's (H-GAC) Data Analytics & Research (DAR) Department. The Director is responsible for managing and advancing the department's modeling, forecasting, data analytics, geospatial, research, and technology capabilities to support regional planning, transportation investment, public policy, and organizational decision-making.

Reporting to the Chief Transportation Officer/MPO Director, the Director establishes departmental priorities, oversees multidisciplinary technical teams, and ensures the delivery of high-quality analytical products and services. The position is responsible for departmental operations, staff development, budget management, strategic planning, and continuous improvement while aligning departmental initiatives with H-GAC's broader organizational goals.

The Director leads innovation within DAR, including the application of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, and digital solutions. Working collaboratively with IT, agency leadership, and other departments, the Director supports data-informed decision-making, technology improvements, and regional partnerships that strengthen H-GAC's programs and services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Department Management

Develop and implement the strategic direction, goals, and priorities of the Data Analytics & Research Department in alignment with H-GAC's mission and regional planning objectives.
Provide leadership and oversight of multidisciplinary teams responsible for transportation modeling, socioeconomic forecasting, scenario planning, environmental modeling, geospatial analytics, data engineering, business intelligence, application development, and regional research.
Oversee departmental operations, budgets, contracts, staffing, resource allocation, and performance measures.
Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff while promoting professional growth, succession planning, and cross-functional collaboration.
Establish departmental standards and processes to ensure the accuracy, quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of analytical products and services.
Identify emerging technologies, methodologies, and industry trends that enhance departmental capabilities and service delivery.
Foster a collaborative work environment focused on accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Data Analytics, Modeling, and Research

Direct the development and implementation of analytical models, forecasting tools, research initiatives, and data-driven solutions that support regional planning and organizational decision-making.
Oversee transportation planning analyses, travel demand modeling, population and employment forecasting, and scenario development.
Guide economic, demographic, environmental, infrastructure, and regional research initiatives.
Support disaster impact, resiliency, accessibility, and performance measurement analyses.
Oversee the development of dashboards, data visualizations, interactive applications, and decision-support tools.
Ensure analytical methods, data sources, and research findings are accurate, reliable, and consistent with applicable standards.
Translate complex technical findings into clear, meaningful information for agency leadership, elected officials, technical committees, partner agencies, and the public.

Data Management and Geospatial Technologies

Provide direction and oversight for DAR's data management, geospatial analytics, and geographic information systems (GIS) functions.
Oversee the development, maintenance, integration, and analysis of regional datasets and geospatial information.
Collaborate with IT and other departments to support data governance, quality, accessibility, security, and information-sharing practices.
Identify opportunities to improve data integration, automation, and analytical capabilities across DAR's programs and services.
Guide the development of digital mapping tools, web applications, dashboards, and other geospatial products.
Support regional geospatial partnerships, data-sharing initiatives, and collaborative research activities.
Evaluate emerging geospatial technologies, including remote sensing, LiDAR, imagery, digital twins, and advanced visualization tools.

Artificial Intelligence and Technology Innovation

Lead the evaluation, development, and implementation of artificial intelligence and emerging technology initiatives within DAR.
Collaborate with IT, agency leadership, and other departments to support the responsible adoption and application of AI technologies.
Identify opportunities to use artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation to improve departmental processes and analytical capabilities.
Oversee AI-related pilot projects, technology evaluations, and implementation activities assigned to DAR.
Support the development and application of appropriate AI governance, data security, privacy, and responsible-use practices in coordination with IT and other appropriate departments.
Evaluate technology solutions, vendors, and partnerships that support departmental objectives.
Promote staff development, training, and knowledge sharing related to AI and emerging analytical technologies.
Monitor the effectiveness of technology initiatives and identify opportunities for operational improvements.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Identify and implement opportunities to improve departmental efficiency, service delivery, and technical capabilities.
Promote the use of advanced analytical methods, cloud-based technologies, automation, and scalable data solutions.
Oversee improvements to departmental workflows, processes, and analytical systems.
Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing across technical disciplines.
Support cross-departmental initiatives that benefit from DAR's analytical expertise and technical resources.
Develop performance measures and evaluate departmental outcomes to support continuous improvement.

Regional Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local governments, state and federal agencies, universities, transportation organizations, regional planning partners, and other stakeholders.
Represent H-GAC and DAR at regional, statewide, and national meetings, conferences, committees, and technical working groups.
Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to identify analytical needs and develop solutions that support regional initiatives.
Communicate departmental findings, recommendations, and technical information to diverse audiences.
Promote regional collaboration, data sharing, and the effective use of analytical resources.

Program Development and Resource Management

Identify opportunities to expand DAR's capabilities, programs, and services through grants, partnerships, research initiatives, and other funding opportunities.
Support the development of proposals, grant applications, service agreements, and project plans.
Oversee departmental budgets, expenditures, contracts, and resource allocation.
Ensure compliance with applicable grant requirements, contractual obligations, agency policies, and reporting standards.
Evaluate departmental programs and initiatives to ensure effective use of resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
Explore sustainable funding opportunities that support departmental innovation and long-term service delivery.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong leadership, management, and organizational planning skills.
Knowledge of regional planning, transportation modeling, forecasting, data analytics, research methodologies, and geospatial technologies.
Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary technical teams.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical information to nontechnical audiences.
Knowledge of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and data management practices.
Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet organizational objectives.
Experience with budget development, financial management, contracts, and resource allocation.
Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with internal departments, external partners, and regional stakeholders.
Knowledge of applicable public-sector planning, funding, and regulatory requirements.
Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement, innovation, and organizational efficiency.

Preferred Technical Knowledge
Working knowledge of one or more of the following areas:

Transportation planning and travel demand modeling.
Demographic forecasting, statistical analysis, and scenario planning.
Environmental modeling and regional research.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial analytics.
Data engineering, database technologies, and enterprise data platforms.
Business intelligence, visualization, and decision-support tools.
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.
Cloud computing, application development, and automation.
Digital twins, remote sensing, LiDAR, and related geospatial technologies.
Python, R, SQL, or comparable analytical tools and programming environments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Data Science, Geographic Information Systems, Regional Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Public Administration, Statistics, or a related field.
Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in data analytics, research, geospatial technologies, regional planning, technology, or related fields, including at least five years in a senior management or leadership capacity.
Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary professional teams, budgets, projects, and strategic initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field.
Experience working within a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Council of Governments (COG), regional planning agency, or comparable public-sector organization.
Experience collaborating with agency leadership, governing boards, elected officials, and regional stakeholders.
Experience managing federal or state grant-funded programs.
Experience leading data analytics, technology modernization, or digital transformation initiatives.
Experience developing or implementing artificial intelligence solutions and data governance practices.
Experience overseeing multidisciplinary analytical, modeling, research, or geospatial programs.

Salary Range - $149,134.00 - $213,290.00

Director of Data Analytics & Research

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